Best Dumplings in Toronto: Chinatown to Markham

The best dumplings in Toronto are found in two places: the downtown Chinatown along Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West, and the suburbs of Markham and Richmond Hill. Styles run from hand-pinched boiled pork and chive to soup dumplings. Order two or three kinds for the table, share them and compare.

What are the main kinds of dumpling?

Boiled dumplings (shuijiao) are the northern Chinese staple, with a thin wrapper and a juicy filling, eaten with vinegar and chili oil. Pan-fried dumplings (guotie, or potstickers) are browned on the bottom and soft on top. Steamed dumplings include shrimp har gow and the soup dumpling, xiao long bao, which holds hot broth inside the wrapper.

Wontons are a separate family: thin, silky wrappers in broth or chili oil. Each has regional versions, and a menu will often list several fillings.

Toronto soup dumplings: how to eat them

A soup dumpling holds a spoonful of hot broth in a thin wrapper. Lift it with chopsticks onto a spoon, bite a small hole to let the steam out, drink the broth and then eat the rest with a little black vinegar and ginger. Do not bite straight in, because the broth is very hot.

Restaurants in Markham and Richmond Hill are often named for soup dumplings, including a dried scallop and pork version and a large soup dumpling served with a straw for the broth. They were seen in search results only, so they are not named: check hours and addresses before you drive out.

Where to find the best dumplings in Toronto's Chinatown

The main downtown Chinatown runs along Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West. Mother's Dumplings is one of the best-known dumpling restaurants in the area, with dumplings made by hand in a front window. Juicy Dumpling, on Spadina, is listed for compact soup dumplings that are good value. Asian Legend, a Chinatown name since the late 1980s, is known for steamed shrimp dumplings and soup dumplings.

Chinatown is walkable, and the shops and bakeries nearby add to a visit. Hours vary, so check each restaurant before you go.

Markham dumplings: the suburban centre

Markham, northeast of the city, is the centre of Toronto's Chinese food scene, with dozens of restaurants along Highway 7 and in its shopping plazas. Many are known for regional cooking from Shanghai, northern China and Taiwan. Parking is easier than downtown, and weekend evenings are busy.

Go with a group, so you can order several kinds of dumpling and compare them. Some restaurants take reservations, and others run a waiting list.

Dumpling houses Toronto: what to look for

A good dumpling house makes its wrappers and fillings fresh, and you can often see the cooks pleating dumplings in a window. Look for a short menu of dumplings, a busy room and a table of regulars. A small place that sells dumplings by the dozen is often better than a large restaurant with a long menu.

Ask what the house specialty is. Most will tell you, and a plate of the house dumpling is the best place to start.

How to order dumplings

Order two or three kinds for the table, and share. Start with a boiled or steamed dumpling, then a pan-fried one. Add a vegetable dish or a bowl of soup, and rice if you are hungry. Dipping sauces are usually soy sauce, black vinegar and chili oil, and you mix your own.

For a quick lunch, order a plate of twelve and split it. Many places also sell frozen dumplings to cook at home.

What about vegetarian and halal dumplings?

Vegetarian dumplings, filled with egg, chives, mushrooms or tofu, are common. Halal Chinese restaurants serve lamb and beef dumplings in some parts of the city. Ask about the broth and the fillings if you need to avoid meat or pork, since many soups and sauces use pork stock.

What sauces and sides go with dumplings?

Black vinegar, soy sauce and chili oil are the standard dips, often with a bowl of minced garlic or ginger. A plate of cucumber salad, pickled vegetables or a bowl of hot and sour soup refreshes the palate between bites. Tea is the usual drink, and many restaurants bring it to the table without asking.

Order a green vegetable, such as bok choy or pea shoots, to balance the meal. A bowl of plain rice is useful if you order saucy dishes.

How much should you order?

Dumplings are filling, and portions vary. A plate of eight to twelve is enough for one person as a main course, and a table of four can share three or four plates with a couple of other dishes. Order a few at a time instead of all at once, so they arrive hot.

Where should you read next?

For another Canadian city's noodles, read the best ramen in Vancouver guide. For something sweet in the same city, see how to rate the best bubble tea in Toronto, and for the winter season, the Toronto Christmas markets guide. Every city is on the Canada guides page.

With so many dumpling houses, a list is the only fair way to compare. Download the Mosey app, rate each plate as you eat it, and keep a Toronto list that tells you where to order soup dumplings and where to order boiled.